Darbar Attacks

Darbar Attacks

Darbar Attacks

LAHORE High Court Chief Justice Khwaja Sharif observed on Friday that involvement of Blackwater in the suicide attacks on Data Darbar had been discussed in some media reports and police should also investigate this aspect.

He made the observation as Capital City Police Officer Aslam Tareen submitted a progress report on the attacks to the LHC, saying efforts were being made to apprehend the culprits and the Home department had constituted a joint investigation team, including DIG Investigation, SSP Investigation and representatives of the ISI, MI and special branch.

The CCPO said pursuant to the court’s order, the DIG investigation had collected the remains of dead bodies from site of blasts and sent them to the forensic science laboratory for DNA tests whose results would be received within 15 days.

A request had been made to the director general National Crisis Management Cell for provision of technical assistance through National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), including verification of finger prints and facial recognition for finalisation of the case on merit, the CCPO’s report said. It further said that statements of police officials, volunteers (Razakars) and other people on duty had also been recorded, adding that the material collected from the site, including pieces of suicide jackets and explosives, used in the attacks had been sent to the civil defence for analysis. The CCTV footage had been sent to the director general forensic science laboratory for enlargement of photographs through modern digital photography and the statement of former mayor Lahore Khawaja Riaz Mahmood had also been recorded, the report said.

The DIG investigation had requested the sector commanders of ISI and MI, Punjab, and additional IGP special branch to nominate their representatives in the teams, the report concluded.

Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif said since the CCPO had sought time as DNAs test was still being awaited, therefore, the case was adjourned till July 23. “During this period, I want to see progress of police in the case,” he remarked.

The CJ was holding proceedings against twin suicide attacks on Data Darbar, which apparently happened due to a security lapse.